Born in Hazard, Kentucky, prior to becoming an educator and public historian, Dr. Turley has worked in law enforcement, as a community organizer, and was the first African American administrator for the City of Toledo’s first woman mayor, Donna Owens. Also, the founding Director of the Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education at Berea College, Dr. Turley is a long-time scholar of history, political science, sociology and anthropology. She obtained a master’s degree from Mississippi State University in public policy and from the University of Kentucky in American History, where she remained and graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in American History. During that time, she also became the founding director of the Underground Railroad Research Institute at Georgetown College.
“Storytelling is as American as apple pie, and very much a part of African American and Appalachian life, culture and community. I am excited and feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the professional staff of the International Storytelling Center and professional Storytellers from around the country, to share African American Freedom Stories with other storytellers and the nation.”
